KUALA LUMPUR: Former Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin’s allegation that he was shown 'proof' by former Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail was admission of a high-level conspiracy to topple the Prime Minister.
Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Azalina Othman Said said this would have been a coup against the democratic process and the decision of the people at the last general election.
Azalina said this in a statement today in response to Muhyiddin's claim that he was briefed by Abdul Gani of alleged "criminal proof" against Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Azalina said the fact that Abdul Gani had privately shared classified legal information with Muhyiddin, a member of the Cabinet and Umno with vested interest was not only unethical but also breached the Official Secrets Act (OSA).
"How could the AG have had sufficient 'proof' to charge the prime minister then, when an investigation had not even been launched?
"Is this the same 'proof' that the Wall Street Journal referenced when it claimed to have seen confidential documents and used these as the basis to make all sorts of sensational allegations against the prime minister?" she said.
There are standard processes in judicial systems around the world that need to be followed, Azalina added.
“If there are allegations against someone, the lawful authorities would conduct an investigation before a charge sheet is drawn up.
"But in this case, a charge sheet was said to be drawn up in May 2015 before the so-called Special Task Force was formed.
"It was also before the investigation started in June 2015 and certainly before the prime minister was interviewed in December last year by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC). This proves that there was a conspiracy," she said.
She also said Muhyiddin had indirectly questioned the credibility of the current AG, Tan Sri Mohamed Apandi Ali, and the MACC.
Apandi had, on January 26, cleared Najib of any wrongdoing regarding the RM2.6 billion donation.
Azalina said, under Article 145 (3) of the Federal Constitution, it is the AG’s prerogative to start, undertake or stop any proceedings involving offences. The discretionary power given to the Attorney-General under Article 145(3) is absolute and cannot be challenged or replaced by any powers, including the judiciary.
"If any quarters are not in agreement with the AG's action in handling a prosecution, they do not have any basis to challenge it.
"It is important to note that the AG’s decision was made after a detailed investigation from all angles on the report submitted by MACC."
Azalina added, Muhyiddin did not only breach the OSA but was also complicit in a politically-motivated conspiracy to manipulate and abuse the legal system in order to overthrow a democratically elected Prime Minister.
"Why is Muhyiddin only confessing after he was suspended as Umno deputy president? Can his act be seen as abetting since he did not report an alleged criminal act until today?"